Open type fused cutout



Nov. 18, 1941. E. M. MEYER 2,263,513

OPEN TYRE FUSED CUTOUT Filed Dec. 15, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet l Elma/whorl ,Z-jawb' M Meyer Nov. 18, 1941.

E. MEYER OPEN TYPE FUSED CUTOUT Filed Dec. 15, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 E. M. MEYER OPEN TYPE FUSED CUTOUT Nov. 18, 1941.

Filed Dec. 15, 1939 3 Shee'Es-Sheet 5 Meyer Patented Nov. 18, 1941 OPEN TYPE FUSED CUTOUT Edwin M. Meyer, Parkersburg, W. Va., assignor to Porcelain Products, Inc., Findlay, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application December 15, 1939, Serial No. 309,475

13 Claims.

The following description relates to an opentype fused cutout such as is used on lectric power transmission lines. Such devices are used on these lines in appropriate locations for the dual purpose of permitting manual disconnection of the circuit and also automatic opening of the switch on the melting of the customary fuse. To carry out this general object it is customary to adapt the fuse tube to the purpose of a switch which will operate either manually or automatically on the occasion of abnormal overload currents. A widely used type of such device is the so-called open type one in which the terminals, the fuse tube and its associated parts are not housed in a receptacle but on the contrar are exposed and visible from the ground.

In such a cutout it has been usual to provide some yielding part by which to facilitate the movement of the fuse tube or fuse holder, and its associated fuse link., Ordinarily this yieldable member forms part of the permanent insulator and terminal structure. It is an object of my invention to provide an insulator and terminal structure which shall be rigid and stable. In the carrying out of this purpose I have made the yieldable element a part associated with the fuse tube or fuse holder.

Supplementing the above feature, use has been made of the weather shield or so-called sleet hood as an element cooperating with the yieldable element of the fuse holder. The sleet hood can thus be made simple and rugged with freedom from complicated or moving parts.

A further object of my invention is to support the fuse holder by means of a pivoted link so arranged that during normal operation with an active fuse wire, the fuse tube is held down rigid- 1y upon its lower support and constantly urged in a downward direction by the yieldable or resilient element. The arrangement is such that on the rupture of the fuse wire the pivoted link is forced down and outwardly in a rocking movement by a resilient element acting through the fuse holder. Thus the lower part of the fuse holder swings outwardly with the upper end of the pivoted link until the latter is arrested in a horizontal position. In the meantime the resilient element which has-formed the conductor between the upper terminal and the fuse holder parts from the terminal. The fuse holder is thus free to swing outwardly and down until it is held by the pivoted link, both extending horizontally.

An additional object of my invention is to provide on the fuse holder convenient means for the manipulation of the holder during assembly of the cutout or the removal or replacement of a burned out fuse link.

A further object of my invention is to provide means upon the pivoted link to insure proper position of the latter in the assembly of the cutout.

Other objects of my invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred form as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a side elevational view showing the improved cutout switch;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view showing the fuse holder as it is impelled out of contact with the upper terminal;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the device;

Fig. 4 is a front view and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the operating socket member and associated switch stick.

The drawings show the preferred form of my invention in which the terminal and connecting parts are supported on an insulating member I. This insulating member is a post made of suitable porcelain preferably hollow. It comprises upper and lower sections each of which are flanged or provided with the customary corrugations. This insulating post is supported in the well-known manner by means of a strap 2 connected bymeans of bolt 3 to a bracket 4. This bracket 4 in turn is bolted at 5 to the ends of a strap 6, encircling a cross arm 1 or similar support. In this manner the insulating post I may be conveniently mounted at any desired inclination.

The hollow insulating member preferably has a central passageway with a cover cap 8 fitting into the passageway and over the end of the member. This cap is a permanent part of the member and may be cemented to the latter as by fusion during the firing process.

A rigid terminal is mounted at each end of the member I. The upper terminal 9 is in the form of a cast metal hood of which one end I0 is bolted through a lead gasket to the member I by means of a bolt or cap screw l I. This screw is held by a cylindrical tapped piece of soft metal l2 having a diameter slightly less than that of the hole in member I. Tightening the screw will deform the metal cylinder slightly causing it to conform to the surface of the hole in the porcelain member and thus distribute the bearing stress over a considerable area.

The top of the terminal 9 has an upstanding integral loop [3 to receive a conventional splitis a ridge or enlargement I9 which forms a stop; 7

The rear end I0 of the terminal is extended on opposite sides to provide the wings which fit closely around the insulating member I and maintain the terminal with its longitudinal axis radially disposed with respect to the member I (see Fig. 3). Y

A leaf-spring 2| has one end clamped beneath the head of the through bolt II and against the back Ill. The mid-portion of the spring extends upwardly against the top of the terminal 9 and the free end 22 extends downwardly opposite the stop I9. This free end is adapted to spring away from the member I.

The lower terminal 23 is a metal casting having integral rear ears 24 and 25. Each ear has an opening 26 by means of which a conventional connector I4 may be applied to make connection with an end of the current carrying cable. Inwardly of each opening 26 the ears have holes to receive the screw-threaded ends of a U-bolt 21. This U-bolt is held within a groove between adjacent corrugations of the member I. Nuts 28 on the ends of bolt 21 clamp the lower terminal to the member I.

The terminal casting 23 extends forwardly in the form of two parallel arms 29 and 30. Each arm 29 and 36 has a diagonal extending slot 3|, the bottom of which forms a pivot or bearing stirrup 32. As shown in Fig. 4 the arms 29 and 30 extend inwardly to form a cross bar 33.

The thickness of the arm 30 around the slot 3| is materially less than the thickness of the arm 29 around the corresponding slot 3|. For example, if the arm 29 is 1 inch thick at this point, the corresponding thickness of the arm 39 at this point maybe inch. This difference in thickness is utilized to prevent improper assembly of the fuse tube and associated parts.

Fig. 4 shows the manner in which the forward edge of the arms 29 and 39 are diminished in thickness in front of the walls of the slots 3|, 3|. This gives clearance for the associated structural elements which will move through this space and come to rest against the stops 33, 33.

The fuse element of the cutout consists of the usual fuse holder 34. At its upper end it has a metal ferrule serving to hold the end of the fuse holder or wire which is retained in place by means of the square-headed fuse cap 36 for easy engagement with a regular adjustable wrench. An intermediate locking nut 31 is also threaded on the ferrule beneath the cap 36. The fuse wire 38 extends through the hollow holder and out of the lower end where provision is made for its anchorage.

The ferrule 35 is provided on its outer side with an operating ring or handle 39. On the opposite or inner side of the ferrule provision is made for mounting two spring contacts. O-ne spring contact 40 is made of flat, hard drawn bronze or the like. It extends inwardly and has a bend which will fit within the transverse groove I8 of the hood where the principal electrical contact takes place. The free end 4| of this spring is bent downwardly and rests against the retracted end 22 of spring 2|. A second or reenforcing spring contact 42 is also mounted on the ferrule 35 and is bent up to conform to the bend in the spring 40. Thus it reenforces the latter to establish good contact in the groove I8 and with spring 22.

Spaced above its lower end the fuse holder 34 carries a lower ferrule or collar 43 firmly fastened to the tube.

A pivoted link member '45 has two parallel rock arms 46 which are tapped on their opposite sides to hold pivot screws 44. The inner ends of the pivot screws are loosely journalled in diametrical holes drilled in bosses in the sides of the lower ferrule 43. At the back of the fuse holder the rock arms 46, 46 are connected by a strap or stop 41. In like manner a strap 64 fits around the same side of the holder 34 at its bottom and forms the foundation for binding post 48. A round headed nut 49 is used to fasten the fuse wire or link to the binding post.

The rock arms 46, 4'6 each carry a laterally extending trunnion 5|], 5| adapted to rest in the bearings or stirrups 32, 32. Stops 52, 52 extend laterally from arms 46, 46 as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. They serve to contact the stops 33 and thus limit the downward rocking movement of the pivoted link. In this action it will be evident that the trunnions 59, 5| remain within the slots 3|, 3|.

A method of insuring the proper positioning of the fuse tube is shown in Figs. 1 and 4. Here both pins 59 and 5| have flanges 53 and 54'but at different distances from the rock arms. Thus pin 5| and its flanges 54 will fit the slot and stirrup 32 of arm 30 but the pin 5| is not long enough to permit its flange 54 to extend beyond arm 29. Thus pin 5| is prevented from entering the slot in arm 2 9. It is of course obvious that the longer pin and its associated flange 53 can be journalled in the slot in arm 29.

The collar 43 is provided with means for ready manipulation'of the fuse link from a distance.

Thus a removable socket member 55 extends laterally from the collar 43 beyond the position occupied by the pivot screws 44. This socket member is cut away on its upper side as indicated in Fig. 4. One side wall has an opening 56 while the opposite side wall has an open slot 51 extending downwardly from the top open side. Along the base of the member and axially thereto is mounted a spring 58.

The above arrangement provides a convenient socket to receive the switch stick 59. The latter has an end ferrule 60 with a lateral extension 6| and a circular end 62 thereon. It will be readily seen that the switch stick may be inserted lengthwise in the socket member 55 and then rotated to bring the extension 6| within the slot 51. This will permit manipulation of the socket member and the fuse link. Under some conditions it may be preferable to insert the head end 62 into the opening 56 from the outside and thus rock the socket member 55 and the fuse tube 25.

Electrical contact between the lower terminal casting 23 and the fuse holder occurs through the pivoted link member 45. However, I prefer to provide independent spring contact means consisting of a resilient spring contact 63. This spring is mounted on the front face of the casting 23 and extends downwardly so that the lower free end is in the path of movement of the round headed nut 49. As the pivoted link member 45 rocks into horizontal positon, the nut 49 moves out of contact with the spring contact 63.

The following typical operation of the cut out will indicate its simplicity and reliability. As already explained the insulating post I can be mounted in the usual way upon a cross'arm at any convenient angle. The incoming and outgoing line cables are attached in a well known manner.

The fuse tube is in condition for installation after its lower end has been brought into parallel contact with the straps 41 and 64. In this position the free end of the fuse wire 38 is wrapped around the base of the binding post 48 and held tightly by means of the nut 49. This will prevent the relatively angular movement of the pivoted link 45 with respect to the fuse tube 34 and around the pivot pin 44. The lower end of the fuse tube may then be placed between the arms 29 and 3|] of the lowerterminal with the trunnions 50 and 5| in the bearings or stirrups 32. In doing this of course the stops 52 are above the abutment 33. The fuse tube 34 and the pivoted link 45 are then rocked as a unit upwardly until the spring contact 40 meets the sliding surface of the hood [5 and then travels upwardly into the depression [8 while the projecting end 4| abuts against the spring 2| and maintains good electrical conducting contact therewith. It will be appreciated that in this arrangement the current passes mainly through the hood l5 and that the cap 36 of the fuse tube is not in contact with the upper terminal member l5.

On the occurrence of an overload suflicient to melt and break fuse wire 38, the pivoted link 45 is no longer restrained from rocking movement around pivot pins 50 and 5| but immediately drops into the position shown in Fig. 2. During this time the upper end of the fuse tube moves away from the hood l5 due to gravity and the resilience of the spring member 40 acting against the depression [8. Connection with the upper terminal exists until the free end 4| springs away from the end 22 of the second contact. The circuit is broken at this point when a normally operating fuse tube is removed manually.

As soon as the resilient member 40 is free from the upper terminal III, the heavy upper end of the fuse tube 34 rocks outwardly around the pivot pins 44 into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. The extent of movement is of course limited by contact of the lower end of the tube against the straps 41 and 64.

Since the pivot points 50, 51 and 44 are all in the plane of the tubes longitudinal axis, there is no inherent turning moment of force. The tube may be said to be on a dead center. Any stress applied along this axis will be exerted directly on the arms of the lower terminal without tending to rock the tube. The spring 63 however exerts a turning movement which will rock the pivoted link and move the tube as soon as the fuse link is released from the binding post.

In the open position of the fuse the pocket member 55 is of course conveniently positioned and accessible from the ground by means of the switch stick as above described.

The fuse link may now be removed and the spent fused wire replaced. In doing so the wire is fastened to the binding post 48 and the fuse tube again replaced in the open position upon the lower terminal. By engaging the head of the switch stick through the ring 39, it Will then be possible to rock fuse tube 34 upward and into the operating position indicated in Fig. l.

The above description shows the preferred embodiment of my invention in order to attain the objects stated. However, many minor changes in design, proportions and detail are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

What I claim is:

l. A fused cutout comprising an insulating support, two rigid terminals mounted in opposed spaced arrangement on the support, a fuse holder pivotally held by one of said terminals and a flat resilient spring on the fuse holder for sliding engagement with the second terminal.

2. A fused cutout comprising an insulating support, a rigid terminal mounted on the support,bearings on the terminal, a second rigid terminal mounted on the support and having a channel facing the first terminal, a fuse holder pivotally held in said bearings and a flat resilient spring on the fuse holder for sliding engagement with the channel of the opposite terminal.

3. A fused cutout comprising an insulating support, a rigid terminal mounted on the support, bearings on the terminal, a second rigid terminal mounted on the support and having a channel facing the first terminal, a holding recess in said channel, a fuse holder pivotally held in said bearings, and a flat resilient spring on the fuse holder for sliding engagement in the said channel and recess.

4. A fused cutout comprising an insulating support, a rigid terminal mounted on the support, bearings on the terminal, a second rigid terminal mounted on the support, a fuse holder pivotally held in said bearings, a stop on the second terminal, a flat resilient spring on the fuse holder for sliding contact with the second terminal and means on the fuse holder for engagement with said stop.

5. A fused cutout comprising an insulating support, two rigid terminals mounted in opposed spaced arrangement on the support, a fuse holder pivotally held by one of said terminals, a flat, bent spring contact fastened on one side of the fuse holder and having its mid-portion bent for sliding engagement with the other terminal.

6. A fused cutout comprising an insulating support, two rigid terminals mounted in opposed spaced arrangement on the support, a fuse holder pivotally held by one of said terminals, a flat, bent spring contact fastened to one side of the fuse holder, the mid-portion of the contact being bent for sliding engagement with the other terminal and the end of the contact projecting laterally toward said terminal.

'7. A fused cutout comprising an insulating support, a rigid upper terminal on said support having a contact face, a rigid lower terminal on said support, a pair of bearings on said lower terminal, a fuse holder, a flat resilient spring on the fuse holder for sliding engagement on said contact face, a link pivoted at one end to said holder and at the other end in the terminal bearings, and a fuse wire in the holder with its free end attached to the pivoted link.

8. A fused cutout comprising an insulating support, a rigid upper terminal on said support having a contact face, a rigid lower terminal on said support, a pair of bearings on said lower terminal, a fuse holder, a flat resilient spring on the fuse holder for sliding engagement on said contact face, a link pivoted at one end to said holder on the axis of the holder, said link having its free end journaled in the terminal bearings in the same plane with the axis of the holder, means on the lower terminal to limit the outward rocking of the link, and a fuse wire in the holder with its free end attached to the link. 1

9. A fused cutout comprising an insulating support, a rigid upper terminal on said support having a contact face, a rigid lower terminal on said support, a pair of bearings on said lower terminal, a fuse holder, a flat resilient spring on said fuse holder for sliding engagement on said contact face, a link pivoted at one end to said holder and having its free end journaled in the terminal bearings, a fuse wire in said holder, means on the link to cooperate with the fuse wire in holding the link and holder in parallel contact, means on the lower terminal to limit the outward rocking of the link around the bearings and means on the link to limit the outward movement of the holder.

10. A fused cutout comprising an insulating support, upper and lower terminals on said support, a pair of bearings on said lower terminal, a fuse holder, means on said fuse holder for engagement with said upper terminal, a collar on the fuse holder, a link pivoted at its upper end to the collar on the longitudinal axis of the holder and having parallel arms, the lowermost free ends of the link arms being journaled in the lower terminal bearings, a strap connecting the said arms on the inner side of the fuse holder, a fuse Wire in said holder, and means on the link to hold the wire and maintain the link and holder in extended position.

11. A fused cutout comprising an insulating support, upper and lower terminals on the sup port, a pair of bearings on said lower terminal,

a fuse holder, means on the fuse holder for en-- gagement with said upper terminal, a link having parallel arms pivoted at their upper ends to the holder, a pivot pin extending laterally from the lower end of each link arm, a flange on one of said pivot pins, means preventing the flanged pin from being journaled in one of said terminal bearings, a fuse wire in said holder and a binding post for the wire on the link.

12. A fused cutout comprising an insulating support, upper and lower terminals on the support, a pair of bearings on said lower terminal, a fuse holder, means on the fuse holder for engagement with said upper terminal, a link having parallel arms pivoted at their upper ends to the holder, a pivot pin extending laterally from the lower end of each link arm, a flange on the end of one of said pivot pins, one of said bearings being of greater width than the length of the pin back of the flange, a fuse wire in said holder and a binding post for the wire on the link.

13. A fused cutout comprising an insulating support, upper and lower terminals on the support, a pair of parallel bearing members on said lower terminal, one of said bearing members being thinner than the other, a fuse holder, means on the fuse holder for engagement with said upper terminal, a fuse wire attached to the holder, a link having a wire connection and parallel arms pivoted at their upper ends to the holder, a pivot pin extending laterally from each link arm, a flange on one of said pivot pins spaced from the link arm by a distance more :than the thickness of the thinner bearing memher and less than the thickness of the other bearing member.

EDWIN M. MEYER. 

